Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Solar-Powered World

Professor Seamus Curran of the University of Houston believes that the world, and in particular the United States, will see increasing use of solar energy, especially to power locations not directly on "the grid". He especially envisions thin solar film that can be applied to many exterior surfaces.

In the 1970s, solar power began to be used for warning signals on oil and gas rigs, lighthouses, and railroad crossings in remote locations. In 1981, the Solar Challenger, a solar-powered aircraft that, at 336 lbs, was a little too heavy to fit the US "Ultralight" Classification of 253 lbs, flew across the English Channel. In December 1982 to January 1983, the Quiet Achiever used solar power to drive all the way across Australia. In 1998, Subhendu Guha led a team to create the "Solar Shingle", an integrated strip that looks much like traditional roofing materials, and only requires a small hole every 7 feet so the wires from the shingle can be fed into the building. In the best capitalist traditions of the US, Guha's United Solar Systems developed a better solution- for profit.

I recently tested 2 solar-charged LED lanterns from d.light. One of them proved to be defective, but the other was inexpensive (less than $15), provides excellent light output, and seems quite sturdy. d.light has already responded, in well under a week, to my request for a replacement unit for the defective one, and sent a video describing improved products, with an even better warranty, that should be rolled out within 2 months. Stay tuned.